Basement Floor Product & Prep?

[bRIZZAd]

I put down a 100% solids resin epoxy (Epoxy Master) on my garage floor last summer & love it. (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111997)

This summer I am looking to put a coating down on my basement floor - as I will not be finishing the basement immediately. My expectations are not as incredibly high for the basement, as I will likely begin finishing in a couple to a few years time. It needs to only put up with light foot traffic for the most part, so ... provide some comfort, reduce dust (easier cleaning) & potentially improve light levels.

I'm looking for some advice around:

- Product:

1.) Should I look at using an epoxy product or simply a 'floor paint' for my use & expectations? Obviously cost-wise, since this will be covered in a few years time - I will not be doing a 100% solids epoxy.
2.) I would prefer something that has no odor if possible, being that there are only a couple small windows in the basement - great ventilation at best may difficult to attain. Last thing I would want to do, whether I put down epoxy or floor 'paint', would be to stink up the house for weeks on end.

- Prep:

1.) I don't intend to put in the same level of effort as with the garage floor (diamond grinding). What I had in mind was - sweeping, vacuuming, & then mopping w/ a light detergent or a solvent of some kind to reduce the fine concrete dust even further. Any problems or additions to this? This floor is in a ~1.5yr old home w/ no previous coating.

If you guys have any product & prep recommendations based on your experience, that would be great.

Thanks!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I put down a 100% solids resin epoxy (Epoxy Master) on my garage floor last summer & love it. (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111997)

This summer I am looking to put a coating down on my basement floor - as I will not be finishing the basement immediately. My expectations are not as incredibly high for the basement, as I will likely begin finishing in a couple to a few years time. It needs to only put up with light foot traffic for the most part, so ... provide some comfort, reduce dust (easier cleaning) & potentially improve light levels.

I'm looking for some advice around:

- Product:



1.) Should I look at using an epoxy product or simply a 'floor paint' for my use & expectations? Obviously cost-wise, since this will be covered in a few years time - I will not be doing a 100% solids epoxy.
2.) I would prefer something that has no odor if possible, being that there are only a couple small windows in the basement - great ventilation at best may difficult to attain. Last thing I would want to do, whether I put down epoxy or floor 'paint', would be to stink up the house for weeks on end.

- Prep:

1.) I don't intend to put in the same level of effort as with the garage floor (diamond grinding). What I had in mind was - sweeping, vacuuming, & then mopping w/ a light detergent or a solvent of some kind to reduce the fine concrete dust even further. Any problems or additions to this? This floor is in a ~1.5yr old home w/ no previous coating.

If you guys have any product & prep recommendations based on your experience, that would be great.

Thanks!

In reading the requirements you posted it would not appear that an epoxy or paint is going to meet any of your needs. No comfort, high prep, little effect on noise, etc. Have you thought about using a PCV Roll out product like the BLT Levant or even the Premium PVC tile in Slate?

If your going to finish it down the road, perhaps just leave it alone for now as opposed to getting something you are not happy with.

 

[bRIZZAd]

Perhaps I used the wrong word - comfort. By that, I would be glad not to walk on a dusty cement floor in the basement. I have no concerns of noise & did not mention that, nor would I want to install something that requires removal - an epoxy/paint will do fine.

I will put in the required time to prep, but certainly will not be diamond grinding in the basement.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Perhaps I used the wrong word - comfort. By that, I would be glad not to walk on a dusty cement floor in the basement. I have no concerns of noise & did not mention that, nor would I want to install something that requires removal - an epoxy/paint will do fine.

I will put in the required time to prep, but certainly will not be diamond grinding in the basement.

Ahhhh. OK. Sounds like you are steering towards epoxy and we have some great epoxy guys on the forum so I will let them take over!

 

[rugerlady]

Not trying to steer you towards the 100% solids, but the water based epoxies and paint are the ones that have a strong odor. If there are some that do not, I am not aware of them. Sorry I could not be more helpful.

 

[bRIZZAd]

Not trying to steer you towards the 100% solids, but the water based epoxies and paint are the ones that have a strong odor. If there are some that do not, I am not aware of them. Sorry I could not be more helpful.

Hmm... good to know! The 100% solids kit I used last summer in the garage certainly didn't have any odor which was nice. It did have a mild scent, but nothing like paint even.

 

[rugerlady]

Also, you don't have to get into multiple coats for a basement. It isnt usually a high traffic area.